The problem with helping people to love and obey Jesus

John 14:23 Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.’

mikehill4jesus “The problem with helping people to love and obey Jesus”

The problem is, how shall we win souls wholly to Christ? Certainly we must win them away from themselves.

1. They are free moral agents, of course–rational, accountable. Moral agency is an individual’s ability to make moral judgments based on some notion of right and wrong and to be held accountable for these actions. A moral agent is “a being who is capable of acting with reference to right and wrong.” rational: based on or in accordance with reason or logic. accountable: required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible.

2. They are in rebellion against God, wholly alienated, intensely prejudiced, and committed against him. rebellion: opposition to one in authority or dominance. wholly alienated: to turn away; divert: to alienate the affections of a person. intensely prejudiced: an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge. committed against him: to do (something that is illegal or harmful)

3. They are committed to self-gratification as the end of their being. self-gratification: the act of pleasing or satisfying oneself, especially the gratifying of one’s own impulses, needs, or desires.

4. This committed state is moral depravity, the fountain of sin within them, from which flow by a natural law all their sinful ways. This committed voluntary state is their “wicked heart.” This it is that needs a radical change.

As a qualified teacher, I have learnt that to some people, learning is a problem. The reasons for this are many and to different degrees. Whatever the reason, they fail to learn. Many Teachers have the blame put on them, when in fact they are the victims.

As a Servant of Jesus, I have learnt that people’s understanding of Christianity can definitely differ. This can result in endless arguments or debates on meanings of words and explanations.

A Golden Rule for all true Christians, John 14:23, that false Christians, John 14:24, can’t keep“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16

A true Disciple of the Lord Jesus must teach, where it is possible, as their Lord and Saviour taught. The gift of the Holy Spirit enables them to do this.